17 ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in the area

Monday

Mar 11, 2013 at 12:15 PM

How many times have you heard someone say, “I hate St. Patrick's Day”? I can't think of once.

By Judy RoyalStarNews Correspondent

Several holidays evoke disdain from Americans, but how many times have you heard someone say, “I hate St. Patrick's Day”? I can't think of once. What's not to like? You get to dress up in green and make puns about getting lucky and leprechauns. Plus, you have an excuse to consume foods you don't normally eat and drink beer in mass quantities, if that's your thing. Even if it's not, you can still get into the spirit. That's the beauty of St. Patrick's Day. You can be as subtle or as wild as you like and still have a good time. The atmosphere is festive, and everyone seems to be celebrating as people from all backgrounds embrace being Irish for a day. This year, March 17 falls on a Sunday, so for many people work won't be getting in the way of a good time. If you're looking for a place to be among other revelers, here are 17 options. (NOTE: While many of these places open early on Sunday, state law mandates that alcohol cannot be served until noon.)Downtown WilmingtonCopper Penny: Come to 109 Chestnut St. beginning at noon Sunday for bagpipers, an Irish menu and green beer. Details: 762-1373 or www.CopperPennyNC.com.Orton's/Longstreet's: Beginning at 4 p.m. Sunday, the two bars at 133/135 N. Front St. will have a lineup of two bands and drink specials. Details: 859-8441 or www.facebook.com/Ortonsunderground.Paddy's Hollow: The menu at 10 Walnut St. in The Cotton Exchange will include shepherd's pie as well as corned beef and cabbage beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday. You're likely to see a few drink specials, too. Details: 762-4354 or www.PaddysHollow.com.Slainte: This Irish spot at 7 N. Front St. will undoubtedly be bustling. It opens at noon with bagpipers and drink specials, including Guinness and Jameson. Details: 254-4774 or www.facebook.com/slainteirishpub.wilmington. TheatreNOW: The performance is going on all month, but there will be a special matinee at 3 p.m. Sunday of “Charlie Murphy's Fond Farewell: An Irish Wake.” The comedy is sprinkled with music and games and features a full Irish meal. Tickets are $42 for adults and $30 for children under 12, and that includes a three-course meal of potato and leek soup, Irish corned beef and carrots with cabbage (or a vegetarian entrée) and Guinness chocolate cake. The theater is located at 19 S. 10th St. Details: 399-3669 or www.TheatreWilmington.com.Wilmington Water Tours: Cruise the Cape Fear River while enjoying an Irish lunch catered by Front Street Brewery 2-4 p.m. Sunday. There will also be bagpipe music. Cost is $33, and the excursion departs from 212 S. Water St. Details: 338-3134 or www.WilmingtonWaterTours.net.WilmingtonBon Appetit: Go Irish early with Sunday breakfast at 3704 Carolina Beach Road. Specials include corned beef grilled cheese with two eggs and Irish Eyes Are Smiling Eggs Benedict with corned beef hash patties. Sunday hours are 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Details: 796-0520 or www.BonAppetitWilmington.com.The Dubliner: The Irish pub at 1756 Carolina Beach Road is known for its annual St. Patrick's Day blowout. The festivities begin at noon, and they include live music and a catered meal of corned beef and cabbage. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door and include food. Details: 343-8342.Fibber's Public House: A $5 entrance fee will get you into 1610 Pavilion Place to enjoy the David Dixon Trio, The Dickens Band and The Bibis Ellison Band. There will also be Irish dance troupes and bagpipes. Details: 256-0102 or www.facebook.com/fibber.mcgees.9.Halligan's Public House: Live music, bagpipers, Irish dancers, drink specials and a strictly Irish menu start at noon Sunday at 3317 Masonboro Loop Road. Details: 791-1019 or www.HalligansNC.com.The Harp: The Irish pub at 1423 S. Third St. is having a special menu, live music, dancers and a tent outside, plus the patio will be open. The fun begins with an Irish breakfast at 5 a.m. Sunday. Details: 763-1607 or www.HarpWilmington.com.Carolina BeachHoplite Pub and Beer Garden: The doors at 720 N. Lake Park Blvd. open at 11 a.m. Sunday, with live Irish music from The Casserole starting at 1 p.m. Special include $4 baby Guinness, $5 Jameson, $5 Bushmills, $4 bloody Marys, $4 mimosas, $6 Irish car bombs and $2 Coors Light. There will also be homemade chili and $2 off nachos. Details: 458-4745.SeaWitch Café & Tiki Bar: Come out and enjoy the day beginning at noon with drink specials, including Guinness, baby Guinness, Irish car bombs and cans of green Bud Lights. Details: 707-0533 or www.SeawitchCafeAndTikiBar.com.Wrightsville BeachKing Neptune: 11 N. Lumina Ave. will have Irish menu items on Sunday, including corned beef hash for breakfast and brunch as well as corned beef and cabbage for lunch and dinner. There will also be Irish drink specials. Sunday hours are 7:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Details: 333-6688 or www.facebook.com/KingNeptuneWB.Brunswick CountyCharlie Macgrooders: Come out to 117-G Village Road in Leland beginning at 3:30 p.m. Sunday for live bagpipe music and The Blarney Brogues 5-8 p.m. There will also be dinner and drink specials, including corned beef and cabbage, shepherd's pie, bangers and mash, and fish and chips. Plus every Sunday in March, kids eat free from the children's menu with the purchase of an adult entrée. Details: 399-7924 or www.macgrooders.com.Slainte: The fun begins at 1513-10 N. Howe St. in Southport at noon Sunday. Plates of corned beef, cabbage and shepherd's pie for $5 will be served until 5 p.m. A bagpiper plays at 5 p.m., followed by Jeremy Norris performing live. Details: 457-6554 or www.facebook.com/slainte.southport.Pender CountyGallagher's Bar and Grill: The spot at 614 N. New River Drive in Surf City is celebrating St. Patrick's Day and March Madness 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. Featured are the popular Irish egg rolls for $7, plus a corned beef and cabbage platter cooked in Guinness that isn't normally on the menu. Drink specials include Bud Light draft and bottles for $2 as well as some deals on Jameson and Irish car bombs. Details: 541-0877.